Justification:
There is little known about the population and life history characteristics of this species. It is widespread in the Indo-Pacific and is common. It is moderately small and is collected for the aquarium trade, but there is no catch data. It is listed as Least Concern.

This species is found in the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to Eastern Africa and extending to Okinawa, Japan in the north, eastward to the Tuamotu archipelago and south towards Eastern Australia (Queensland) (Parenti and Randall 2000, B. Russell pers. comm. 2008).

This species is moderately small, to about 161 mm SL. It inhabits seaward reefs at depths of about 20–60 m, whereas juveniles have been taken at about 6 m within the Red Sea. It occurs on reefs rich with invertebrates such as gorgonians, sea whips and black corals (Kuiter and Tonozuka 2001). It is common along steep outer reef slopes deeper than 25 m in Micronesia. It is usually seen as lone individuals (Kuiter and Tonozuka 2001). Juveniles pose as cleaners (Kuiter 1992). It may be solitary or may exist in pairs (Cornic 1987).

Ryan, S. and Clarke, K. 2005. Ecological assessment of the Queensland marine aquarium fish fishery. A report to the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage on the ecologically sustainable management of the Queensland marine aquarium harvest fishery.